Nonstationary Markov chains and convergence of the annealing algorithm

We study the asymptotic behavior as timet + of certain nonstationary Markov chains, and prove the convergence of the annealing algorithm in Monte Carlo simulations. We find that in the limitt + , a nonstationary Markov chain may exhibit phase transitions. Nonstationary Markov chains in general, and the annealing algorithm in particular, lead to biased estimators for the expectation values of the process. We compute the leading terms in the bias and the variance of the sample-means estimator. We find that the annealing algorithm converges if the temperatureT(t) goes to zero no faster thanC/log(t/t ₀) ast+, with a computable constantC andt ₀ the initial time. The bias and the variance of the sample-means estimator in the annealing algorithm go to zero likeO(t^–1+) for some 0<1, with =0 only in very special circumstances. Our results concerning the convergence of the annealing algorithm, and the rate of convergence to zero of the bias and the variance of the sample-means estimator, provide a rigorous procedure for choosing the optimal annealing schedule. This optimal choice reflects the competition between two physical effects: (a) The adiabatic effect, whereby if the temperature is loweredtoo abruptly the system may end up not in a ground state but in a nearby metastable state, and (b) the super-cooling effect, whereby if the temperature is loweredtoo slowly the system will indeed approach the ground state(s) but may do so extremely slowly.     

Anisotropy of the low temperature resistivity of hexagonal single crystalline spin glass systems

The impurity contribution to the resistivity in zero field (T) of dilute hexagonal single crystals of ZnMn, CdMn and MgMn has been studied in the mK range on samples cut parallel () and perpendicular () to thec-axis, using a SQUID technique for the measurements. Typical spin glass behavior is found in (T) as well as (T) for all alloys, with Kondo like logarithmic increases at higher temperatures and maxima atT _m at lower temperatures, indicating the influence of impurity interactions. The differences in the corresponding isotropic resistivity _poly(T) between the three systems can qualitatively be understood within the framework of a theoretical model by Larsen, describing (T) as a function of universal quantitiesT/T _K and _RKKY/T _K , where _RKKY is the RKKY-interaction strength andT _K the Kondo temperature. With respect to the two lattice directions studied, the behavior of (T and (T is anisotropic in the Kondo regime as well as in the range where ordering becomes important. While the anisotropy in the Kondo slope can be understood by an anisotropic unitarity limit, the understanding of the anisotropy in region where impurity interactions are important remains problematic.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. S. Methfessel on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Random surfaces with two-sided constraints: An application of the theory of dominant ground states

We consider some models of classical statistical mechanics which admit an investigation by means of the theory of dominant ground states. Our models are related to the Gibbs ensemble for the multidimensional SOS model with symmetric constraints _x m/2. The main result is that for ₀, where ₀ does not depend onm, the structure of thermodynamic phases in the model is determined by dominant ground states: for an evenm a Gibbs state is unique and for an oddm the number of space-periodic pure Gibbs states is two.     

Some critical exponent inequalities for percolation

For a large class of independent (site or bond, short- or long-range) percolation models, we show the following: (1) If the percolation densityP (p) is discontinuous atp _c , then the critical exponent (defined by the divergence of expected cluster size, nP _n (p) (P _c –P)^– asp p _c ) must satisfy 2. (2) or (defined analogously to, but asp p _c ) and [P _n (p _c ) (n ^–1–1/) asn ] must satisfy, 2(1 – 1/). These inequalities for improve the previously known bound 1(Aizenman and Newman), since 2 (Aizenman and Barsky). Additionally, result 1may be useful, in standardd-dimensional percolation, for proving rigorously (ind>2) that, as expected,P _x has no discontinuity atp _c .     

Critical current density of a YBa2Cu3O7 film: Comparison between experiment and collective pinning theory

With the vibrating reed technique we have measured the critical current densityJ _c of a Y 123 200 nm thin film as a function of magnetic field perpendicular to the CuO₂ planes (O T<B8 T) and temperature (20KT60 K). At fieldsB<0.1 TJ _c is magnetic field independent and decreases at higher fields. A comparison with theory indicates that a crossover from a single pinning to a small bundle collective pinning regime may explain the observed behaviour. According to our estimate the main pinning centers are weak point pins due to oxygen vacancies. From the temperature dependence ofJ _c atB0 we obtain a temperature dependence of the thermodynamical critical fieldB _c (1–T/T _c )² forT20 K which agrees with the anomalous temperature dependence ofB _c2 observed recently in highly anisotropic high temperature superconductors.     

Hydrogenated and irradiatedA15 Nb3Sn layers — Preparation,Rutherford scattering analysis,resistivity and superconductivity

Niobium films on sapphire were reacted in tin-vapour to Nb₃Sn with resistance ratiosR(297 K)/R(18.3 K) up to 6 and resistively measured superconducting transition temperaturesT _c up to 17.93 K. The composition Nb_3+z Sn_1–z H _x of electrolytically hydrogenated samples was determined depth dependent by Rutherford backscattering of 30 MeV³²S and simultaneous detection of recoiled protons. Considerable concentration gradients in the thin layers (0.27 m) were detected. The increase of resistivity with hydrogen content and the change in the temperature dependence of is analyzed. A correlation betweenT _c and ₀= is found: An increase of T _c =0.2 K at ₀25cm andx0.03 is followed by a drastic decrease toT _c <1.1 K at ₀80cm andx1. TheT _c vs. ₀ andT _c vs. (T) characteristic correlations are different from universal irradiation or preparation induced correlations. The discrepancies can be interpreted by a stiffening of phonon modes and a band-shifting caused by the hydrogen.     

Stochastic Schrödinger operators and Jacobi matrices on the strip

We discuss stochastic Schrödinger operators and Jacobi matrices with wave functions, taking values in ^l so there are 2l Lyaponov exponents ₁..._l0 _l+1..._2l =–₁. Our results include the fact that if ₁=0 on a set positive measure, thenV is deterministic and one that says that {E|exactly 2j 's are zero} is the essential support of the a.c. spectrum of multiplicity 2j.Research partially supported by USNSF under grant DMS-8416049     

Energy relaxation in aϕ 4 with long range interactions

We investigate the influence of long range interactions on the relaxation behaviour of a lattice model with an on-site potential of ⁴-type and infinite range harmonic interactions. For finite number of particlesN, it is shown that the autocorrelation functions <E _n(t)E _n > of the fluctuations of the one-particle energiesE _n(t) decays exponentially. The corresponding relaxation time is proportional toN and is given by (T, N) =N₀(T). The temperature dependent time scale ₀ can explicitly be related to the dynamics of a one-particle correlator of the noninteracting system. The results are derived using Mori-Zwanzig projection formalism. The corresponding memory kernel is calculated within a mode coupling approximation and by a perturbative approach. Both results agree in leading order in 1/N. It is speculated that any interaction of range generates a timescale .     

Positron annihilation anomaly in the high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−x

We have measured the ac susceptibility of a wire with a Nb core (1.27 mm diam.) and a Cu cladding (0.37 mm thickness) atT50 K andB0.1 mG. Due to its proximity to Nb, the Cu becomes fully superconducting. From the data we find a breakdown fieldH _b =1.2 (mG) and a coherence length =2.2T ^–1/2 (m) for the Cu, as well as a field penetration depth -34T ^1/2 (m) at the Cu/Nb interface.     

Hyperbolic initial-boundary-value problem for magnetic flux compression by plane liners

Based on the (relativistic) Maxwell equations with displacement current E/t, the initial-boundary-value problem for the compression of an initially homogeneous magnetic fieldB={0,B(x,t),0} between a fixed liner atx=0 and a detonation-driven liner atx=s(t) is solved analytically. By homogenizing the boundary conditions at the moving boundary, the transient electromagnetic fields are shown to be a superposition of quasistatic elliptic (E/t=0) and hyperbolic (E/t0) wave solutions. The wave equation is solved by a Fourier expansion in time-dependent eigenfunctionsf _n =f _n [nx/s(t)] for the variable region 0xs(t), where the Fourier amplitudes _n (t) are determined by coupled differential equations of second order. It is concluded that the conventional elliptic flux compression theories (E/t=0) hold approximately for nonrelativistic liner speeds , whereas the hyperbolic theory (E/t0) is valid for arbitrary liner speeds .     

Mixing properties,differentiability of the free energy and the central limit theorem for a pure phase in the Ising model at low temperature

For the Ising model with nearest neighbour interaction it is shown that the spin correlations _{A B} - _{A B} decrease exponentially asd(A, B) in a pure phase when the temperature is well belowT _c. This is used to prove that the free energyF(,h) is infinitely differentiable in and has one sided derivatives inh of all orders forh=0. The bounds are also used to prove that the central limit theorem holds for several variables such as e.g. the total energy and the total magnetization of the system, the limit distribution being gaussian with variances determined by the second derivatives ofF(,h).     

Single crystal diffraction patterns of germanium. Part II

The rocking curves of Ge (111), (220), (333) for CuK ₁ radiation were measured by means of the triple-crystal diffractometer. Perfect silicon single crystals, cut parallel to the (111) plane were used in the monochromator part of the triple-crystal diffractometer. The results prove the suitability of such a monochromator for studying diffraction patterns.

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. II

(rocking curves) (111), (220), (333) CuK ₁ . , (111). .

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In conclusion the authors thank A. Haruý for preparing the germanium single crystals and they are indebted to V. Smutná and A. Irra for the care with which they carried out various tasks.     

Logical independence in quantum logic

The projection latticesP(₁),P(₂) of two von Neumann subalgebras ₁, ₂ of the von Neumann algebra are defined to be logically independent if A B0 for any 0AP(₁), 0BP(₂). After motivating this notion in independence, it is shown thatP(₁),P(₂) are logically independent if ₁ is a subfactor in a finite factor andP(₁),P(₂ commute. Also, logical independence is related to the statistical independence conditions called C^*-independence W^*-independence, and strict locality. Logical independence ofP(₁,P(₂ turns out to be equivalent to the C^*-independence of (₁,₂) for mutually commuting ₁,₂ and it is shown that if (₁,₂) is a pair of (not necessarily commuting) von Neumann subalgebras, thenP(₁,P(₂ are logically independent in the following cases: is a finite-dimensional full-matrix algebra and ₁,₂ are C^*-independent; (₁,₂) is a W^*-independent pair; ₁,₂ have the property of strict locality.     

Calculation of the force-dipole tensor for hydrogen in palladium and platinum

The force-dipole tensorP , also known as the elastic dipole and the double-force tensor, is calculated for hydrogen dissolved in palladium and platinum, using a microscopic model for the interaction potentials; the so-called effective medium theory. The force-dipole tensor describes the long range displacement field induced by hydrogen dissolved in the host metal lattice in the dilute limit. It can be related to the mean elastic hydrogen-hydrogen interaction energy and the critical temperatureT _c for the gas-liquid phase transition observed in systems such as PdH _x and NbH _x . Comparison show a fair agreement between theoretical and experimental values for the force-dipole tensor.     

Real-space renormalization group for directed percolation system

We use the recently proposed real-space renormalization group method to study the critical behavior of directed percolation system in two dimensions. The correlation length exponents and are found to be 1.76 and 1.15. These results are in good agreements with the best known values.     

Explaining μ+ spin-lattice relaxation in MnF2, belowT N,by scattering function

A relation between the spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T ₁) of positive muons and the scattering functionS ^T (q,) is derived for the antiferromagnet MnF₂. We find good agreement between previousSR measurements of 1/T ₁ and our calculation using neutron scattering measurements ofS ^T (q,).     

The spectrum of a quasiperiodic Schrödinger operator

The spectrum (H) of the tight binding Fibonacci Hamiltonian (H _mn= _m,n+1+ _m+1,n + _m,n v(n),v(n)= ((n–1)), 1/ is the golden number) is shown to coincide with the dynamical spectrum, the set on which an infinite subsequence of traces of transfer matrices is bounded. The point spectrum is absent for any , and (H) is a Cantor set for 4. Combining this with Casdagli's earlier result, one finds that the spectrum is singular continuous for 16.On leave from the Central Research Institute for Physics, Budapest, Hungary     

A “hydrodynamic” theory of surface reaction rates

The Brownian motion of adsorbed particles is described in terms of the first four velocity moments of the distribution function (number density, momentum density, energy density and energy current density). The resulting hydrodynamic equations turn out to be sufficient for a simple derivation and extension of Kramers' results for chemical reaction rates in terms of the friction constant of an underlying Fokker-Planck equation. An interpolation formula is obtained for() containing Kramers' results for small and large as limiting cases. For temperaturesT small compared to the well depthV ₀ one finds a large regionT/V ₀/v ₀V ₀/T in which Eyring's absolute rate theory is approximately valid.On leave of absence from Physikdepartment der TUM, München-Garching     

On two “self-creation” cosmologies

An attempt to produce a continuous creation theory by adapting the Brans-Dicke theory is described. The universe is seen to be created out of self-contained gravitational, scalar, and matter fields. However, the solution of the one-body problem reveals unsatisfactory characteristics of the theory, and in particular the principle of equivalence is severely violated. A second theory is described which retains the attractive features of the first theory and which does not fall foul of its objections. There do exist empirical tests for the theory which are described and which will require further examination. In the limit this theory approaches general relativity in every respect.Notation ² gf the invariant d'Alembertian - t ₀ Hubble time - H Hubble's constant - scalar field - coupling constant - T _M energy-momentum tensor of matter and nongravitational energy, and nonscalar field energy - T _M energy-momentum tensor of scalar field energy - T _M covariant form - T _M contravariant form - T _M mixed form - T _M T _M trace - T _{M ;} covariant differentiation - contravariant differentiation - T Ricci tensor - R curvature scalar (in tensorial equations) - Kronecker symbol - () a function of used in the text - density - p pressure - g the metric tensor - R(t) scale factor (in cosmological equations) - U the fluid 4-velocity (covariant) - U the fluid 4-velocity (contravariant) - functions differentiated once with respect to time ( , differenciated twice) - k the Robertson-Walker curvature constant=+1, 0, or –1 - proportional to - g gravitational coefficient - parameter - angle of deflection, or coordinate - angle of precession or coordinate - angle of precession - G _v the force density - ³( – _n (t)) the Dirac delta function - proper time - K an unknown function definingG - total angle of deflection - r ₀ minimum radius of approach of a light ray grazing the sun     

Continuity of type-I intermittency from a measure-theoretical point of view

We study a simple dynamical system which displays a so-called type-I intermittency bifurcation. We determine the Bowen-Ruelle measure and prove that the expectation (g) of any continuous functiong and the Kolmogoroff-Sinai entropyh() are continuous functions of the bifurcation parameter. Therefore the transition is continuous from a measure-theoretical point of view. Those results could be generalized to any similar dynamical system.